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Immediate Release

Flag Officer Announcements

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper announced today that the president has made the following nominations:

Navy Adm. Robert P. Burke for reappointment to the rank of admiral and assignment as commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa; and commander, Allied Joint Forces Command, Naples, Italy.  Burke is currently serving as vice chief of naval operations, Washington, D.C. 

Navy Vice Adm. William K. Lescher for appointment to the rank of admiral and assignment as vice chief of naval operations, Washington, D.C.  Lescher is currently serving as deputy chief of naval operations for integration of capabilities and resources (N8), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.

Navy Vice Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti for reappointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development, N7, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.  Franchetti is currently serving as commander, Sixth Fleet; commander, Task Force Six; commander, Striking and Support Forces NATO; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa; and Joint Force Maritime Component commander Europe, Naples, Italy.

Navy Rear Adm. Eugene H. Black III for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as commander, Sixth Fleet; commander, Task Force Six; commander, Striking and Support Forces NATO; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa; and Joint Force Maritime Component commander Europe, Naples, Italy.   Black is currently serving as director, Surface Warfare Division, N96, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.  

Navy Rear Adm. Randy B. Crites for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as deputy chief of naval operations for integration of capabilities and resources (N8), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.  Crites is currently serving as deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for budget (FMB); and director, Fiscal Management Division (N82), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.

Navy Rear Adm. Yancy B. Lindsey for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as commander, Navy Installations Command, Washington, D.C.   Lindsey is currently serving as commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia; and commander, Maritime Air Forces, Naples, Italy.  

Navy Rear Adm. Kenneth R. Whitesell for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as commander, Naval Air Forces; and commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, San Diego, California.   Whitesell is currently serving as deputy commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  

Navy Reserve Rear Adm. John B. Mustin for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as chief of Navy Reserve, Washington, D.C.   Mustin is currently serving as commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Two, Norfolk, Virginia.